Job Discussion Forums

[japan_01]

I am currently working for a private junior and senior high school in Gifu. The current pay is sufficent and "liveable" (if that is a word? - if not please correct my poor english!) but I would like to try and make some sort of savings.

I am looking at potentially gaining some private students that I can teach on a weekly basis however have no means of personal transport. I have been onto websites such as sensei bank and eigo town to try and gain some students however am yet to have any sort of success. Many of the people on those sites are charging 3000yen and under!! It doesnt seem it is even worth my while to step foot from my house.

What options can all you experienced guys offer? Have any of you had success on those sites? Is it because I am in such a small town?

[Sweetsee]

Nothing wrong with 3000, do it near you.
Check your community center, they often need someone to teach lessons and you can always pull some privates that way, it's encouraged.
Take out an ad in the local paper, not the newspaper but the little city one.
Seek out volunteer positions because they always turn into bigger things.
Make up a little flyer with detachable data and your picture on it, post it around; near campuses, library, bookstores, community center, Starbuck's(is there one?).
If you are ambitious you should do all right, but judging from the comment in your post, I don't know.

Good luck to you,
s

[japan_01]

Thankyou for your comments sweetsee.

The reason for my lack of ambitousness is because my school cannot find out that Im seeking private students. It is stipulated in my contract that I must notify the school before commencing any sort of other employment.

I was going to casually mention that I met some Japanese students that required an English tutor. I was trying to stay away from the whole "public" approach. It will go down better with the school if I take the less ambitious approach, if that makes any sense.

[Sweetsee]

Yes, in that case you would have to maintain a low profile, but by no means does it mean you can't find some students. I guess you should try those places you mentioned.

Good luck to you,
s

[markle]

I'm in a similar position with regards not telling the school but I still managed to get a few students as have most of the other foreign teachers. You don't actually have to leave home, I and all the other teachers teach at home and the students come to us.
Best place has been the local International Association.

[japan_01]

Well I face another problem in the area of teaching from home. I reside in an appartment on school campus. I would be forced to smuggle the students into my house...

[Doglover]

[markle]